Caulfield Cup fancy My Ambivalent to be tested in Werribee gallop

A Caulfield Cup start for English mare My Ambivalent hinges on the outcome of an early morning gallop at the Werribee International Quarantine Centre on Tuesday.

Jockey Hugh Bowman had been booked to ride My Ambivalent in the Caulfield Cup. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Jockey Hugh Bowman had been booked to ride My Ambivalent in the Caulfield Cup. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

My Ambivalent’s preparation has been hindered by a stone bruise in her off fore foot, forcing her to miss some crucial work since Saturday and David Eustace, assistant to trainer Roger Varian, said that if the Authorized mare missed any more work, a start in the Group 1 $3m Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday would be very doubtful.

“We’ll know in the morning whether we can go or not. If we miss another it would be unrealistic to try to get her to race Saturday,” Eustace told Racing Network.

“She’s pretty fit and that bit of work Saturday put her spot on. If we can get a canter into her tomorrow or Wednesday and a sharp blow Thursday, she doesn’t need too much now.

“She was sound Saturday evening, but she was lame (Sunday) morning. We took her shoe off and she has a bruised foot.

“She was much sounder this morning, but wasn’t quite spot on. We’re going to have to treat her again today and try to get that bruising out as much as we possibly can.”

Big race jockey Hugh Bowman had been booked to ride My Ambivalent in the Caulfield Cup but if she is ruled out on Saturday,  Eustace would still continue on towards the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4 with My Ambivalent.

“We would certainly like a tilt at that if she was okay,” Eustace said.

“She doesn’t definitely need a ‘prep’ run. We could still get her right and be cherry ripe for the Melbourne Cup.”

My Ambivalent has a Group 1 win to her credit, taking out the 2013 Group 1 £200,000 Oxigen Environmental Pretty Polly Stakes (1 mile 2 furlongs) for the fillies at the Curragh in Ireland.

In her latest campaign My Ambivalent ran third to Japanese star Gentildonna in the Group 1 US$5m Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) on turf at Meydan, Dubai on March 29 before winning the Group 2 £100,000 Betfred 10 Million Scoop6 This Saturday Middleton Stakes (1 mile 2 furlongs) at York, England on May 15.

While at her latest outing she ran fourth in this year’s version of the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh in Ireland.

My Ambivalent is currently an $18 chance for the Caulfield Cup with Ladbtokes.com.au who have Turnbull Stakes winner Lucia Valentina the $5 favourite ahead of the Japanese galloper Bande at $8.50.

Last year’s Caulfield Cup runner up Dandino is an $11 chance ahead of and Admire Rakti at $12 with Junoob, Who Shot Thebarman and Rising Romance all at $13.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.